Sample interview questions: Have you ever faced challenges in the purification and isolation of natural products for drug discovery? How did you overcome them?
Sample answer:
Challenges Faced and Solutions Implemented:
- Impurities and Contamination: During purification, impurities from solvents, extraction processes, and plant materials can interfere with desired compound isolation. To address this, I employed various techniques such as chromatographic separation (HPLC, GC), recrystallization, and supercritical fluid extraction to achieve high purity.
- Low Yield: Obtaining sufficient quantities of natural products for drug discovery can be challenging. I optimized extraction methods (e.g., solvent selection, temperature, extraction time) and employed bioassays to guide the collection of plant material with high target compound concentrations. I also considered the use of alternative sources, including plant cell cultures and microorganisms.
- Structural Complexity: Natural products often possess complex structures, making isolation and identification difficult. I utilized advanced analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry (MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and X-ray crystallography to determine molecular structures and identify isomers.
- Degradation and Instability: Natural products can be susceptib… Read full answer
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